Best Supporting Actress Nominees

Vera Farmiga, Up in the Air

This American actress grew up in New Jersey, but she says she didn't learn to speak English until she was 6 years old. Born to Ukrainian immigrant parents, Farmiga lived in a Ukrainian community until she left to attend Syracuse University, where she began to study performing arts.

After many theater and television roles, Farmiga broke into the film industry and is best known for her work in Running Scared, The Departed and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This year, Farmiga received her first Oscar nomination for her work in the dark comedy Up in the Air. In the film, she plays Alex Goran, George Clooney's character's successful, confidant love interest.